Glen Keith 24 Years Old 1993 Cask #97124 (Connoisseurs Choice)

The Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail bottled this Glen Keith, a 24 year old, distilled in 1993, from cask 97124, bottled at 54.7%, one of 264 bottles. Glen Keith is a Speyside single malt made behind Strathisla, mostly for the Chivas blends. Single malt Glen Keith is rare, most of it coming from independent bottlers.

It was distilled light and fruity in the Glen Keith style, for the light, fruity make Glen Keith is known for. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, tropical fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards tropical fruit, honey and a soft spice. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Its make went largely into the Chivas Regal, Passport and 100 Pipers blends. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey and tropical fruit.

At a natural 54.7% it is full and fruity. Green apple, pear and a soft malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is fresh and fruity, the light spirit shining through. The finish is long, fruity and clean. This is a clean, fruity Speyside single malt.